Thousands line streets for gun victim's funeral

Thousands of people today lined the streets of Limerick for the funeral of rugby player Shane Geoghegan, who was gunned down over the weekend.

Shocked residents came out in force to pay tribute to the popular 28-year-old, and demonstrate their outrage over his murder.

The Garryowen club captain was shot dead by a hitman from one of the city’s warring gangs on Sunday in a case of mistaken identity.

Hundreds filed into St Joseph’s Church in O’Connell Street as Mr Geoghegan’s coffin arrived draped in his rugby club’s sky blue flag.

The Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray, led tributes to Mr Geoghegan and expressed his deepest sympathy to parents, Tom and Mary.

“The death of Shane has shocked all of Limerick and beyond,” said the bishop.

“This senseless killing of an innocent man with his whole life before him is further evidence of the futility of this evil feud, and the callous inhumanity with which it is pursued.

“Shane was a good man. His grieving family will be in the prayers of all of us.

“At this difficult time our community should honour Shane’s memory and act in solidarity by reporting any relevant information to An Garda Síochána.”

Mr Geoghegan’s body was taken from his family home in Kilteragh to the city centre chapel, where his teammates formed a guard of honour.

Hundreds packed St Joseph’s from up to 45 minutes before the Mass began, with hundreds more mourners forced to stand outside, the church unable to accommodate them all.

Mr Geoghegan’s coffin, carried into the church by work colleagues from Air lay at the foot of the altar, with a rugby ball perched next to it.

Fr Jim Maher, who taught Mr Geoghegan at Crescent College Comprehensive in Limerick, said the city had been stunned by the weekend gun murder.

But the priest added, when locals realised the victim was Mr Geoghegan, murdered so close to his home, shock turned to anger and outrage.

“It is sad to say that our safety from violent crime is not even guaranteed in the vicinity of our own home,” Fr Maher said.

“It raises many questions about the direction that our city and country are going in.

“It is another sad reflection of the more sinister aspects of our city, where this kind of violent crime leaves so much pain and sorrow, suffering and heartbreak in its wake.”

The mourners were led by Mr Geoghegan’s parents, Tom and Mary, brother Anthony and girlfriend Jenna.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was represented by his aide-de-camp Commandant Michael Treacy.

The Government was represented by Defence Minister and Limerick TD Willie O’Dea.

Members of Limerick City Council were also present, as were senior garda officers and Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan.

Fr Maher said Mr Geoghegan was affectionately remembered by one teacher as a gentle giant.

He said he found him amicable and easy to deal with.

“On an occasion such as this, there is some comfort for Shane’s family in the fact that so many people have turned up here this morning to show their solidarity in the wake of such an appalling act of violence,” Fr Maher said.

“Such an outpouring of sorrow is an indication of the esteem in which Shane was held.

“One of our hopes here today is that some good will come out of this tragedy, and that this kind of shocking violence which has frequently marred the good name of our city will become a thing of the past.”

Fr Maher said it was hoped Shane’s death would lead to a turning point in Limerick, and break the cycle of violence.